Snowshoe Skimikin Lake
When LIFE gives you SNOW, go SNOWSHOEING!
A snapshot of my Snowshoeing gear. I carry the TEN essentials, First Aid kit, radios if we are in a bigger group, trekking poles with snow baskets, a map/compass and a thermos of coffee!
Shuswap Adventure Girl
What better way to enjoy the stillness of the winter landscape…the frozen lakes, the dusted mountains, the evergreen canopies, or the soft sound of the snow crunching underfoot. There is nothing more pretty than a winter’s trail and the Shuswap has so many to offer us!
Snowshoeing is a great beginner’s sport because it takes very little experience and is easy to learn! Pick a gentle trail for the little ones and beginners or a more challenging trail to get an excellent workout! Bundle up, grab those shoes and head out on one of the Shuswap’s spectacular winter and Nordic trails!
Don’t have snowshoes, don’t worry! You can rent snowshoes for the whole family at John’s Ski Shack or at Skookum Cycle & Ski in Salmon Arm.
Don’t have snowshoes, don’t worry! You can rent snowshoes for the whole family at John’s Ski Shack or at Skookum Cycle & Ski in Salmon Arm.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Skimikin Lake | Tappen B.C.
Explore the beauty of the Tappen Valley! Skimikin Lake offers many snowshoe or cross-country skiing trails, including short looped Nordic trails near the lake and longer, more backcountry-style trails. There always seems to be more snow in the valley too, making it an excellent winter playground! Stick to a well-used trail or break your own trail on one of the many options!
Skimikin lake is a perfect place for beginners and children as well as more advanced snowshoers.
Skimikin Lake is a year round recreation destination. Some of the summer adventures enjoyed include horseback riding, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife watching. In the winter months the trails become snowshoe routes. In total there are over 100+ kilometres of recreation trails to explore.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Skimikin Lake is a popular ice fishing spot. It is stocked each year with Rainbow Trout. Always check local fishing regulations.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Trails #2 and 8 take you by the Skimikin Tree Nursery. The nursery specializes in Lodgepole pine, Western larch, and spruce and Douglas fir.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
The Trails at Skimikin
Starting in the main parking lot, there are several options for trails from here. On the Northside of the road, the trails wind through the forest and ascend upwards along the mountain. These trails are good for experienced snowshoers and for those looking to get that “backcountry” trek. These are much more difficult than the trails on the Southside, that circle the lake.
The trails that loop the lake are trails #1,2,10,8. These trails are not super well marked so studying the map ahead of time is essential and bring a navigation device of some sort.
If you know the area well, you will have a general sense of where the lake is, even when you can not see it. This helps you orientate.
Recently, a 5km route around the lake on trails #2,8, 10, and 4 took us 2.5 hours and was at times, strenuous due to a large snowfall and we were breaking the trail.
Breaking trail after a huge snowfall. This is strenuous work!
This is a great map of the trails. The trails are not well marked so knowing where you plan to go ahead of time really helps. Skimikin Trails Map
Journey trekking through deep snow!
There are hills on these trails which make for a great workout!
When going uphill, toe kick your crampons into the ascent for traction. Poles are good for balance and momentum.
When going down hill, keep the poles planted ahead. Try to bend the knees and stay relaxed. Let gravity do the work.
How to Get There
GPS location: 50°47'11"N 119°26'17"W
Directions to the main parking lot from Salmon Arm:
Follow Hwy 1 for 14.3 km west of Salmon Arm or 18.6 km east of Sorrento and turn west onto Tappen Valley Rd. After approx., 4 km turn left/west onto Skimikin Lake Rd, then travel for 6.1 km, past Recline Ridge Winery, over a cattle gate, and past the CSRD Waste Transfer Site to the lake. Skimikin Lake Rec Site is on your left/south side of the road. The trails spread out from this central point. Trail junctions are signed, with the higher numbers further away from the lake.
Shuswap Trail Alliance - Skimikin Lake
Skimikin Lake is a great place for snowmobiling and often some of the larger, wider trails have snowmobile tracks.
Know Before You Go:
The right gear
- Snowshoeing can be a little more strenuous than regular hiking, especially on uphill ascents. Dress in layers. I like to wear a base layer of thin, sweat-wicking material, then a mid-layer of light fleece and/or a vest, and the outer layer is water/windproof.
- Trekking poles with snow baskets are extremely helpful.
- For my feet, I personally wear some warm wool-blend socks and my regular hiking boots. Wear boots that you would go for a power walk in.
Salmon Arms Gear Guide: The Best Cold-Weather Gear for the Whole Family
My favorite snowshoeing socks are the Icelandic wool-blend socks from J.B Fields (The Great Canadian Sock Company). The -35 Thermal Hiker socks in my regular all-season hiking boots work perfectly for me and keep my feet warm and dry!
Find them here: J.B. Fields Icelandic Socks
Leave a trip plan
Let someone know where you plan to go and when you plan to be back. Touch base with that person once you are back and make sure it is someone who would notice if you did not return! Adventure Smart has a great trip plan App for your phone.
Safety first
Hikers and backpackers should always carry the 10 essentials. For the detailed list please click here: https://www.adventuresmart.ca/land/survive-essentials.htmKnow your snow
As well as having basic snowshoeing techniques, you must always be mindful of weather conditions, natural obstacles that may lie beneath the snow, and the risk of moving water under the ice. Only you know your limits, adventure smart.Know your Trail
Find directions to trailheads and specific details about your chosen trail on the Shuswap Trail Alliance website.
Quick Tips and Tricks!
Bring a headlamp, you never know if you will be out past dark.
I like to keep hot paws hand warmers in my pocket next to my phone. The battery lasts longer when your phone is not freezing cold!
If the temperatures are really cold, use warm water in your water bottle. This prevents it from freezing.
Unless you have a good system or an ice-proof water bladder hose, skip the bladder altogether and carry a water bottle instead. The hose and ends freeze up!
